It seems like every time there’s a new version of iOS released, users find a way to utilize glitches to their advantage. We all remember the Newsstand glitch found in iOS 6, and various other glitches and tricks to hide folders, apps, nest folders, etc.

Similar glitches were discovered to work in the beta version of iOS 7, and many of them remain in the final build. In the video that follows, I’ll show you how to use these glitches to hide apps, hide folders, and to nest folders within folders.

No, it’s not the most ideal method for achieving such results, but until we get a jailbreak, or until Apple allows end users to further customize their device, this will have to do.

Nesting folders is extremely easy to pull off, here’s how it’s done:

Step 1: Place two folders on the same Home screen

Step 2: Tap and hold on the folder that you wish to move, and immediately press the Home button twice to invoke the app switcher

Step 3: Tap the first app switcher page to get back to the Home screen

Step 7: Press the Home button once, and the app or folder that you initially selected should disappear completely

You can easily reset all of your folders and apps by simply rebooting your device. You can also still launch hidden apps by using the Spotlight search option.

As stated at the outset, it’s not the most ideal solution for managing apps and folders on iOS 7, but it’s the best thing we have right now. Shout out to Dom over at App Advice for reminding us about such a nifty little glitch.

Why are you all whining about the new iOS? You didn’t have to get it. They aren’t gonna change it because maybe 3 people hate it. Stop acting like a child and just deal with it. You had the option to stay on iOS 6. Just downgrade if it’s still possible.

Chris Chris

MANY OF US have jailbroken devices. Apple only allows restore and update to the most current iteration of IOS (7.0.4). Therefore, if we want the security, speed, and functionality of the new IOS, we must upgrade and lose the jailbreak unless another jailbreak has been created. It is not possible to downgrade from IOS 7 to IOS 6. Learn the facts before spouting off prematurely. Also, because IOS 7 is still so new, many devs, who create the jailbreak apps, haven’t upgraded their apps yet. I just upgraded to IOS 7.04 yesterday because the jailbreak was released. AND I also hate the plastic k-mart icons. But…at least I can install a theme to rewrite the icons to a richer 3d style that I prefer! I will admit here that IOS 7 has greater functionality, and is much faster than IOS 6. That doesn’t mean I have to settle for nickel and dime icons!

Robert Goldberg

1. Folder into folder looks exactly like MultiIconMover.
2. Did I understand correctly that once you reboot your device all your customizations get reset and all the icons/apps/folders you previously hid come back?

I don’t know if anyone has noticed, but you can put Newsstand in a folder in iOS 7, since it’s treated like any other app by the operating system

James

I found some other glitches, or at least one. The first is if your device is locked, and you slide to unlock, but then quickly slide back in the other direction with a second swipe (not a single right-and-then-left swipe, it must be two quick swipes), your lock screen wallpaper will change to your home screen wallpaper. Obviously, this is only noticeable if you have different wallpapers for your lock screen and home screen. Also, it only works if your device is locked from the home screen. If an app was open when you locked your device, the glitch doesn’t work. The other thing I found was you can bounce the camera app open from the lock screen. Not sure if Apple designed it that way, but if you slide the camera app up and then slam it down, it will bounce right back up and open the camera app.

Jonathan

awesome glitches. xD

James

I found some other glitches, or at least one. The first is if your device is locked, and you slide to unlock, but then quickly slide back in the other direction with a second swipe (not a single right-and-then-left swipe, it must be two quick swipes), your lock screen wallpaper will change to your home screen wallpaper. Obviously, this is only noticeable if you have different wallpapers for your lock screen and home screen. Also, it only works if your device is locked from the home screen. If an app was open when you locked your device, the glitch doesn’t work. The other thing I found was you can bounce the camera app open from the lock screen. Not sure if Apple designed it that way, but if you slide the camera app up and then slam it down, it will bounce right back up and open the camera app.

momerathe

*sigh*. Apple I love you but you drive me mad sometimes. why are folders in folders even a thing? I could understand it – just – because of the old UI, but with the new one there just no reason not to do it.

Kurt Johnson

dang. looks like the apple worshipers are a lot like Obama drones. can’t take criticism even when it is correct and justified.

Jonathan

I found a pretty bad bug, and it’s actually with Facebook. Close it from multitasking if it isn’t already.
Warning, it will show your hidden icons
Launch it, and as soon as it does, hold down anywhere on the screen. It will show the homescreen with the icons in wiggle mode, and the wallpaper black. Then after Facebook finishes launching, it will switch back.
When I was all done, I went to the homescreen, and Instagram was there. I hid it earlier with the trick above.

mahogany33

has anyone tried syncing? I synced after nesting only to have my apps thrown all over the place. Not only were the nested folders disassembled, but the apps that were in those folders were strewn across 7 pages – when they were nested and nicely tucked away I had 1 full page and 1 row on a second page. I am afraid to try again! I did sync again, but I first created all the folders, putting the ones I wanted to nest next to their destination folders…hopefully, if everything gets thrown around again, I’ll just need to re-nest from the backup. Any other thoughts?

Kais Al-Hassani

Hi
I tried the steps above but they do not hide my folders.

Agarthan Nephilim

Folder nesting – can’t get it to happen on my iPh5 w iOS7. The ‘greyed out’ folder step never happens. I take it the rest of you (whom it works for) bought the 5S?

Agarthan Nephilim

Also: the media playback controls in the ‘swipe up’ utilities screen are NON-functional, whatever app is doing the playback. You can no longer jump to the playback app from that screen either – you could from iOS6’s last-on-the-left multitasking bar).

dazzlemi

Does this still work in ios7.02 ?

PatrickH

Thanks, works beautifully. Clarification “Place a folder on the first Home screen page, full of apps” means the screen is full of apps, not the folder.

I combined this with uisng the Starbucks app to make label-less folders, but I seem to have hidden the Starbucks app. I know how to open it, but is there any way to uncork it from its hidden position, so that i can use it to make more labelless folders? Can’t re-download it becasue it’s there, somewhere!